My mom's pets.

My moms cat, miss muffin

Deer in mom's back yard

More deer and the babies

My mom loves to feed the deer in her back yard and she is getting quite a crowd coming. I thought you might enjoy these pictures. They are such beautiful creatures, God's wonders to behold.

More pictures of Discovering Kentucky

Discovering Kentucky #3

Before the bees

Rain, rain and more rain.

Chocolate waterfall.

Chocolate Flood.

Ok, you might ask why three parts to this trip. Well by doing this I can break up our trip by subjects and it keeps me organized and to the point. This part focuses on what could have ruined our trip beyond the no fishing. Monday, when we went to the falls the day started out sunny hot and humid, ok I can handle that I just wanted to doing something fun with the kids. #1 problem, the kids. They whined and whined about well anything and everything. If they weren't happy about one thing it was another. I felt like we would get one issue settled with would be something else. Arguing over seating was the main thing at first, and then it was I'm bored. When are we going to be there at least a "million times". I can handle this I really can. Finally we are there. I'm hungry, hot, tired you name, it started again. Well went to see the falls just so they could see the drive was worth it and then off to the picnic area to each lunch, or so I thought. It was a beautful shelter and could be used in the winter,and maybe we should do that sometime, because it had a fire place on all sides of the center chimney. The first sign of troub le was the fact that the picnic tables were infest with spider webs and many egg sacks underneath. We noticed a picnic table up the hill a little ways out in the open and seemed fairly spider free. So the food is gotten out and drinks are opened and we discovered some other not so appealing friends stopping by to share our meal, bees. Several in fact which started pandamonium in the ranks, complete mutiny the girls screamed and screamed, well I could keep repeating that one. Now I am not so fond of bees and I could have handled them except the girls were so paniced that I had to try to difuse the situation. Let me interject that Alex and I my husband sat calmly at the table with the bees and ate, the girls and I never did eat much at that time and when my husband finished eating we left and the screaming stopped. No one got stung but unless all the bees become extinct, I don't think the girls will ever go back there, at least not willingly. Situation #2, can it get any worse? As we are loading everything back up a storm rolled in with some low thunderings and drops of rain. We figured it would pass by quickly(we were wrong) so we went to the lodge to get out of the rain. We stayed there for a while playing checkers and having a generally relaxing time. Emily decide we were going to stay there because it might be to rainy to drive home. She always has great ideas like that. After about 30 minutes the rain appeared to be stopping so we loaded back up to go back to the falls to walk some trails. As soon as we got back, it started raining again and proceded to rain for the next hour and half, or somewhere around there. This really could ruin our day, but it turned out to be very relaxing just watching the rain, going into the gift shop and little museum. Randy bought us all a candy stick and we waited out the rain. The kids at first did not think of going out in the rain, but then puddle jumping started even with my warning of wet socks and shoes. Kids will be kids. Ok, now it has finally stopped. We went back to the falls, and then proceded to follow a path down to the river, which proved tricky due to the rain with does not soak into rocks it turns into waterfalls, one particular one we called a chocolate water fall because of the mud it had in it, this one was covering most of the path except for a skinney space to the side, determinedly we kept on, more wet shoes but oh, so much fun. The kids enjoyed this so much, I would do it all over again. Well, I don't think there are anymore noteworth catastrophes to mention. The rest of the day was nice and we got back to the house without a problem.



I might add that if you should ever want to buy a second home close the Lake Cumberland, now would be the time. Property values are way down because of the problem with the dam. I hope you have enjoyed our trip.

Discovering Kentucky #2

I wanted to write more of our trip which actually we are still on but Randy took the kids with him for a while so I get some time of quiet. First of all, some friends of ours bought a beautiful home here by Lake Cumberland as a vacation home and we are staying there. I believe they bought if for much less because of the condition of the lake and tourist activity has dropped significantly. It is a three bedroom home with a nice big kitchen and 2 full baths, very open and spacious. It is a mixture of elegant and country living due to a farm nearby with all the sounds and smells that go along with it(which I enjoy). Megan heard a cow bawling and decided it was upset about something.

Discovering Kentucky

How many times do you go on vacation only to leave your state of residence without realizing the wealth of beauty it may hold. So many people talk about wanting to go overseas to visit another country, "why, I'm not sure maybe its discontent with what we have right here, wanderlust or some other reason". Out state of Ky holds a wealth a history and scenery that unless you go see it you might never know its there. Randy the kids and I went to Somerset, Ky to see some of the sights, mainly to go to Lake Cumberland to fish. Unfortunately that did not happen, because the dam which is badly in need of repair could burst at anytime and cause mass flood, so, they have lowered the water level of the lake to a point that the only way to fish is to go out in a boat. The banks are very steep and there is no dock fishing at this time. Megan, I might add, was disappointed to tears because she was calling this our fishing trip and she loves to fish. Since Kentucky holds so much other beauty we were not kept down very long. My husband stopped by a travel center and asked some questions and was given advice on what to do so instead of fishing we drove 36 miles to Cumberland Falls. Randy and I have been there before but not the kids so away we went. We had an enjoyable time time for the most part. The falls were beautiful and the nature around filled me with joy at being God's child and having an understanding that this was created by him. I was able to explain that what we see around us in nature is God's finger prints of beauty that he gave to us to enjoy. The above are some pictures of what we saw.

My kids say many funny things to me, and between Alex and I, we have this running joke that he just happened at our doorstep, or we found him on the highway ect. Well last night I was telling him what a nice little boy he was and I thought I might keep him for my own. Well, this time he played along instead of saying your just joking. He turned and looked at me and said, "what will you give me", I had to lauph and started naming some of his favorite toys and he was saying "oh, boy" and getting excited about it, then he said, "what about food". So I started telling him different things he liked to eat. It was really funny, probably one of those, you had to be there to really enjoy it. He has such a sense of humor which I think is so important for children to develop because it can help smooth out the rough spots in life if you can look at the funny things that happen. I have many Aunts and Uncles and especially on my mom's side of the family they all would joke around and tease, in a fun way, and to this day my Uncle Phil can catch me of gaurd and make me lauph. When you realize how God designed each of us in our own special way you have to be amazed that he thought that humor would be something good to add the human mind. I have learned that you get much further in dealing with difficult people if you throw in some humor or maybe just a smile of understanding. A soft word turns away wrath, as Solomon once said. Have a blessed weekend and remember the Lords Day to keep it Holy.

When God says he will provide all of our needs he means it. I had another blessing today that I just had to share with you. I have been searching for canning jars the least expensive way I could possibly get them. I have been looking on craigslist.com and finally I saw a yard sale with canning jars listed and it was maybe 3 miles away. I went and sure enough there they were. 144 canning jars the price at $75 for all, I was hesitant because I really didn't want to spend that much money I questioned the sellers about them and they said they just wanted to get rid of them and that they would take $50 I couldn't believe it. I called my husband to see what he thought and he agreed. So I came home with 12 dozen canning jars. I am so elated that God in his infinite mercy would bless me in such a way. I have never canned before, if anyone has any great canning recipes for tomato sauce, or anything you can think of just let me know. I am not sure how much canning I will get done this year, since my garden is quite small, I will have to expand for next year. I know that God will supply my needs I need to fear for he has proven himself true over and over again. Just so you know If I had bought those canning jars new it would have cost me about $150-$200. The Lord is good.

Aren't these raspberries beautiful, this is another of God's blessing to me. I purchased three flats of raspberries for $13.00. That was a steal. I was so excited that I made freezer jam and froze some of them and then I am saving some to make a pie. I can tast it now. Yum.

Emily and Alex are "helping" me cook supper. It sure made for an interesting experience in the kitchen. And don't worry if you should ever come to eat at my home, I do disintfect my countertops. They always teach you to wash your hands when working in the kitchen but no one said anything about washing your feet. :>}

I have been having a rough few days between just not feeling as eneretic as I would like and the kids seems to be in rare form so I got out my book of Bible answers for every need and started to look for something with reference to frustration or dealing the kids and just couldn't find what I wanted. The book did open to Thankfulness and I started reading there and then I went to the subject of Praising God and I found these verses. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. Psalms 113:3 This is not a request or a suggestion but a directive, telling us this is what we are to do, there is also this verse; Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 150:6 God is so good and I have much to be thankful about and I want to always praise the Lord even in the time when I don't feel so great or am having a rough day with cranky kids. I want to always be ready to praise God no matter what.

Praise the Lord, praise his Holy Name

He is merciful and gracious

He is almighty

He is bigger than our problems

He will never let us down

Lets just praise the Lord

God's Many Blessings

Everyone can look around them and see the many blessings that God has given us, even in the midst of a time when things look bleak with inflation of gasoline, food, or anything you might need to buy. God has given me such a peace during this time of having less, but in reality he has given me so much more. He supplies my every need, he even gives me the desires of my heart. This summer the Lord has helped me to try and see the ways I can lessen the financial burden on our family and he has given me resources that I would never have come across without his intervention. Recently a friend of mine called me and told me she had someone with flats of strawberries very inexepensive, I was able to get 2 flats and make strawberry freezer jam, now I don't have to buy the expensive store strawberry jam. Another blessing is the how God is making my garden to grow and start to produce wonderful vegetables. I picked a cucumber(a favorite) longer than my forearm, I also had a wonderful zucchini that long also and I lost no time making 2 loaves of delicious zucchini bread out of half of it the rest will be delicious with our supper. If you want to try something really good grill your zucchini, oh so delicious and healthy. My garden also is holding the promise of many tomatoes and peppers. I am so thankful for what the Lord is doing for us. I took some pictures to show you the blessings God has given.

I should not fail to mention the Lord has opened doors for me to find ways to get the kids school curriculum at a discount and free shipping, this is also something he destinctly promised to me that he would take care of this for me. In the past I have been someone who would fret and worry about everything. I would worry about my kids all the time, when I was with them or away. I felt I had to push to what I wanted or needed because if I didn't it would never happen and now with God in control I can relax and no that when the time is right he will let me know and give me a peace I could never have understood before. The Lord is wonderful and his ways are beyond my understand but always right on time. Praise the Lord for his many blessings.

The following slideshow has some pictures of the kids at my Aunt Charlene's having fun dressing up as a clown. Also some pictures of Megan's b-day. Another fun day was at the Creation Museum with their friend Korty Frankenberry. I hope you enjoy. Oh, yeah also our afternoon with Tim and Christal.

Happy Fourth of July

We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalianable right; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness . . .

This is such a great day in our history to remember when our forefathers of this country came together to take a stand and declare their independence. It was not only political freedom they desired but freedom to serve God as they so desired. As we all know those freedoms are so precarious to us at this time as the changes in our government and the evil forces out their who do not want the Church of Jesus Christ to florish and proclaim the Gospel of the One Who Died for our sins. As it says in Romans 8:35-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Therein lies our true freedom. Our freedom is in Christ and without Him we have no freedom.

Not only celebrate in merriment and festivities but also pray for our country and thank him for the freedoms we have at this time.

God Bless America!